Best Local Politician: Gavin Newsom

San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom has worked his way into the national consciousness for his bold efforts in greening up his city. How green is this mayor? Well, over the last couple years, Newsom has banned water bottles and plastic bags, led San Francisco to join the Kyoto Protocol, primed the Bay Area to become the electric vehicle capitol of the US, brought solar power to the city, and taken a leading role in creating a green workforce. Politicians don't get much greener than that. And rumors have been confirmed that he's exploring the possibility of running for the governorship in 2010—so he could be bringing all that green to the entire state of California as soon as next year. --BM